Improvement in low-water detecters for steam-generators



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL C. MEAD AND CHARLES MAGGI, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORSTC CHARLES MAGGI,-()F SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT lN LOW-WATER DETECTERS FOR STEAM-GENERATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 50,660, dated, October24, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we. DANIEL C. MEAD and invented a new and Improved Modeot' Detecting Low IVater in Steam-Boilers; and we do hereby declare thatthe following is a full and exact description thereof, reference beinghad to the accompanying` drawings, and to the letters of reference madethereon.

The nature of our invention consists in having a tube, E E, closed atone end, containing a loose expansion -bar, H, or tube, or any othersubstantially the saine, inserted in a pipe, C. Said pipe may be ot' anydesired length outside ot' the boiler, but must communicate with theinside and reach to within one inch of the tiues or tire-line. The tubelE E, containing the expansion-bar H, is o'pen at the top but closed atthe bottom. The top of the tube is screwed into a cap, D, on the headot'A the pipe C, so that neither steam nor water can pass. In thiscondition the tube containing the expansion-bar is surrounded by waterat a low temperature while the boiler is in operation and as long asplenty ot' water exists in the boiler; but if from neglect or any othercause the water falls below the end of the pipe inside of the boiler,the water already in the pipe falls out, and, steam taking its place,leaves the tube E E subject to action of the steam, and heats it to suchan extent that the expansion of the barinside ofthe tube is sufficientto raise the lever L attached to the top of the pipe, and, connectingwith the valve in the whistle, opens it and causes an immediate alarm.

A is an inch or any other sized gas-pipe, eighteen inches long, more orless, attached to thelower part ofthe stop-cock B, and connected to theboiler by the bush N.

B is a stop-cock connecting the upper and l'ower part of the instrumenttogether. The cock is used for shutting ott' the steam and allowing theexpansion-bar to cool after having the alarm.

C is the upper part ot' the instrument, made of inch or any other sizedgas-pipe, furnished with a screw at the bottom, for the purpose ofconnecting it with the cock B. It is also supplied with a cap, D, towhich is attached the lever-rest K.

D is a cap made to tit the top ot' the pipe C, having a hole tapped inthe center, into which the tube E E, containing the expansionbar H, isscrewed.

E E is the tube containing the expansionbar, which is a column of zincitting loosely in the tube.

F is the bottom of the tube E E containing the expansion-bar, stopped upwith a plug.

H is the zinc expansion-bar.

I is an elongated piece of brass attached to the lever L by a pin, s,and reaches to the'top of the expansion-bar, upon which it rests.

K is the fulcrum or lever-rest, made fast to the cap D.

L is thelever, which by means ot' the expansion-bar H actuates thewhistle-valve V by striking the stem T.

M is the whistle-valve.

N is a bush inserted in the boiler to receive the instrument and connectit with the inside ot' the boiler. A piece of pipe is screwed into thebottom ofthe berth, ot' sudicicnt length to reach within one inch ot'the dues or lire-line, thereby making a direct connection between theupper part of the instrument and the bottom of the pipe inside theboiler.

O is an elbow attached to the upper part of the instrument, upon whichthe whistle U U is screwed, and also conveys the steam to operate thewhistle.

I is a hollow stem attached to the valve V for lightness.

U U is the steam-chamber ot' the whistle.

V is a hollow valve, made hollow for the purpose of closing thevalve-seat as soonv as water comes in contact with it, otherwise waterwould blow out ofthe whistle. This valve is self-acting, for as soon asthe pressure from the steam in the boiler ceases the valve opens andreleases the instrument from any water there may be in it, keeping thesame clean and preventing any freezing ot' the pipe or instrument.

What We claim as our invention, and desire ter, substantially upon theprinciple and in the to secure by Letters Patent, ismanner as' hereinset forth.

The combination and arrangement of the D. C. MEAD. metallic expansionbar, rod, or tube, inclosedl GHAS. MAGGI. N in a case or tube one end.of which is closed, Witnesses: which enables us to protect saidexpansion- GEO. WM. MAGGI, bar from any direct Contact With steam 0r Wa-C. R. FENDERIGH.

